"atlantic city" news and stories

Who doesn't love a Nathan's hot dog or a cold, creamy cone of Kohr's custard?

Boardwalk food is a staple of American summer eating, and from coast to coast, both sweet and savory treats line the country's shores, Womansday.com reported.

What are the best boardwalk bites?

If you're at New York's Coney Island, Nathan's Hot Dogs better be on your menu. The seaside hot dog joint was founded by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker in 1916 and has been drawing in hot dog lovers ever since. Today it sells more than 360 million dogs a year, Womansday.com reported.

The Atlantic City Hilton isn't laying low, waiting for the economy to improve. Instead, the city's smallest casino has gone all in, spending $20 million on renovations and opening four new restaurants.

The centerpiece is Simon Prime, a contemporary steak house by celebrity chef Kerry Simon.

"I tried to come up with something that was fun and low key," Simon told Slashfood at Tuesday's opening. "I put the waiters in jeans and sneakers."

Along with steak and seafood, Simon Prime will serve comfort food favorites like mac & cheese, meat loaf and his signature cotton candy.

When we've seen ultra-expensive desserts and cocktails in the past and they spring up everywhere from New York City to London, but it was surprising to hear of the $1,000 brownie dessert at Brulee: The Dessert Experience, in The Quarter at Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey because Atlantic City has long been thought of as a more budget-minded alternative to other resorts and casinos. This pricey treat is a reflection of the fact that developers in AC want it to be the Las Vegas of the East Coast.

The luxe brownie is made with "hazelnuts imported from Italy, topped with gold dust, served with a vintage port wine in a $750 Baccarat crystal [atomizer] that the dessert-eater gets to keep as a souvenir" and is served as part of a three course menu. Wait - an atomizer? The port is supposed to be sprayed into the mouth (possibly by a dinner partner) in conjunction with each bite of the brownie, which allows the flavors to meld together.

Frankly, the concept does not sound that appealing or romantic - especially if you have ever glanced at the chocolate-coated teeth of someone eating a fudgy brownie. Only three servings of the decadent dessert have been sold in the past year.

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A trip down to the shore is one of the best things you can do in the summer. The air is cooler than it is inland and tangy with salt. The people all seem to have smiles on their faces, playing in the water or simply relaxing on a towel in the sand. But even more attractive than the sand and surf is a boardwalk, if you're lucky enough to find a beach that has one. Boardwalks range in size from a few shops to small carnivals, with rides and games. The best thing about them is always the food. They offer both sweet and savory - none of it healthy and all of it delicious. The Travel Channel has a list of the best boardwalks, but here are some of the summer favorites you should be able to find at almost any of them.

1. Salt water taffy - Legend has it that this treat got its name when a candy store in Atlantic City was flooded with ocean water, but it was probably just a gimmick to sell the chewy candy.
2. Fudge - Fudge goes right alongside taffy in boardwalk candy stores. It's a staple of tourist areas, inexpensive and indulgent, and it holds up better than a chocolate bar in the sun.

Salt and water are often added to meat to keep if moist when it is being cooked. This isn't a problem for most diners, and can even improve the final dish, but some find the extra salt hard to swallow - like the AMA and people on salt restricted diets.

Atlantic City's dining scene gets better all the time, especially now that more acclaimed chefs are opening branches of their various restaurants. The seaside city is trying to become a small Las Vegas and force in a "higher class" of clientele - let's just hope that they keep the salt water taffy on the boardwalk, too.

Speaking of high-end dining, L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon is about to open, and now that Robuchon has had success elsewhere in the US, he seems to expect it in New York. Here's how to get a table there.

The US-based Panoramic Fruit Company has just had its first small, but successful, mangosteen harvest from their farm in Puerto Rico. They plan to ship the tropical fruits around the country beginning next year.

A good cook does not make a good entertainer, so you might as well try some simple recipes that will allow you to spend time with your guests - not in the kitchen

Frank Bruni gives Chinatown Brasserie one star.

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